The engineering department has advised that high levels of blue-green algae in Buffalo Pound Lake may cause a slight taste, odour and colour in the drinking water in the city of Moose Jaw.

The Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant uses carbon contactors to remove odour and taste from the lake water. The plant has increased the dosage of alum to fight algae concentrations and high organic carbon in the raw water. The high alum dosage produced treated water has lower than normal pH levels. This results in corrosion of the cast iron pipes.

Water users living in those areas with cast iron watermains may experience a colour change in their drinking water. The department stated the water is still safe to drink.